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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 24th, 2024–Dec 25th, 2024

Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Vancouver Island, East Island, North Island, South Island.

Very dangerous avalanche conditions will be developing on Wednesday. Make a plan to back off from avalanche terrain entirely, especially in the afternoon.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported since a widespread natural cycle last week. A return to dangerous avalanche conditions is expected for Wednesday.

Please consider sharing your observations through the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

By end of day Wednesday, 30 - 80 cm of new snow should accumulate across the Island, with the greatest accumulations on the west coast. A transition to rain in the evening should diminish these totals at most elevations.

Alpine elevations received approximately 20 - 30 cm of snow and intermittent rain since Dec 22. Lesser amounts or a combination of rain-soaked snow or crust can be found at lower elevations. Where recent snow exists, it covers a mid and lower snowpack that are thoroughly settled and bonded as a result of recent heavy rain.

Snowpack depths at treeline vary from about 100 -150 cm on the north and south island, closer to 200 to 250 cm on the central island.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy with flurries bringning 5 to 15 cm of new snow. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1100 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with heavy snowfall bringing 30 - 80 cm of new snow, continuing and changing to rain in the evening, with the greatest values on the west island. 70 to 90 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 1100 m, rising in the evening.

Thursday

Cloudy with wet flurries bringing a trace to 10 cm of new snow after 20 - 70 cm overnight, with the greatest values on the west of the island. 30 to 50 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1300 m.

Friday

Cloudy with wet flurries bringing a trace to 10 cm of new snow with the greatest values on the west of the island. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
  • Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
  • Don't let storm day fever lure you into consequential terrain.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.